Discharge Planning
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Discharge planning and aftercare services
Making the decision to enter a residential treatment program in West Palm Beach is one of the most important and life-changing choices you’ll ever make. However, attending detox and an inpatient program are only the first steps toward sobriety. Preventing relapse and maintaining long-term sobriety require more than just a brief stay in treatment.
As part of our full continuum of care, our discharge planning and aftercare services help you identify the steps you need to take after rehab to ensure you stay sober.
The importance of aftercare
Leaving rehab isn’t always easy, especially when transitioning from 24/7 monitoring and care to independent living. Adapting to life outside of treatment while sober can be challenging, but aftercare services are designed to provide you with ongoing care and support so you can overcome difficulties without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Residential treatment allows you to explore the underlying causes and conditions of your substance abuse. It also introduces you to healthy coping mechanisms and the skills you need to stay sober. However, aftercare gives you the opportunity to practice what you learned in rehab in real-life situations while still receiving professional guidance and support.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 40–60 percent of people who seek treatment for substance abuse relapse at some point in their sobriety. Relapse is not an indicator of failed treatment-it is a sign that treatment and aftercare methods may need to be adjusted to better meet the patient’s needs. A thorough and individualized aftercare plan that addresses whole-person wellness is one of the best ways to prevent relapse and help individuals get back on track if a relapse occurs.
What will your discharge plan look like after addiction treatment?
Here at Daylight Recovery Center, we recognize that no two individuals have the exact same treatment needs. Everyone is unique and has their own path to recovery, which is why our trained staff make individualized recommendations for rehab aftercare based on your clinical, medical, and financial needs.
Your discharge plan will involve much more than simply abstaining from drugs and alcohol. It will include therapeutic interventions and services that address all areas of your life, including emotional, physical, vocational, social, and psychological needs. After completing addiction treatment, your discharge plan may involve several or all of the following:
Medication management for substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders
Attendance and participation in 12-Step meetings or other alternative support groups
Family involvement and therapy
Continued treatment in PHP, IOP, or OP
Drug- and alcohol-free supportive housing at a sober living home
Random drug testing and/or breathalyzer tests
Facility-sponsored services like alumni groups, online support groups, and group therapy
One-on-one mental health counseling
Life skills training, job training or assistance, and/or parenting classes
Holistic services including nutritional guidance, exercise, yoga, and meditation
Before you are discharged from residential care, you will work with your substance abuse counselor to develop an aftercare plan that works for you. Having your aftercare plan in place before you leave rehab will help you feel supported and confident upon discharge.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
After you complete residential treatment, you will likely transition to a partial hospitalization program (PHP). PHP can be described as a step down from residential treatment, yet it is more intensive than outpatient treatment. During this level of care, you will attend structured treatment and therapy during the day, similar to residential treatment. The primary difference between residential and PHP is that you get to return home in the evening. For many people, PHP is the first step in their continuum of care.
Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP)
Intensive outpatient programming, better known as IOP, is the next step in the continuum of care after PHP. These programs are designed to treat addictions and other co-occurring disorders on an outpatient basis. Rather than participating in therapy and counseling all day, you will spend 10-12 hours a week in IOP. This level of care focuses heavily on relapse prevention and life-skills training, as it allows patients to access a new level of independence-something that may also come with new challenges and triggers. When faced with a trigger, however, IOP can provide you with the support you need to stay on the right track.
Sober living In West Palm Beach
Whether you are participating in PHP, IOP, or a standard outpatient program, staying at a sober living home in West Palm Beach may be an appropriate aftercare option for you. Research shows that one contributor to relapse is the lack of stable, supportive, and sober housing. Many people who leave treatment don’t have a supportive household to return to or cannot afford rent on their own. Sober living homes exist to help bridge the housing gap experienced by people in recovery who leave rehab.
Sober living homes require you to undergo random drug and alcohol testing, follow house rules, pay your rent, and participate in a sober support group. They also provide you with safe, supportive, and sober housing shared with others who all share a common goal: staying sober. While sober living homes do not offer formal, professional treatment, they do help residents maintain structure and accountability in their lives.
Support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART, Etc.)
Addiction is often referred to as a disease of isolation, but the opposite is true for recovery. Recovery is all about connecting with yourself and other sober individuals. Support groups, such as 12-Step groups and other alternatives, can provide you with ongoing support, encouragement, and fellowship with like-minded individuals.
Many people begin participating in a sober support group as soon as they leave rehab. Members of these groups extend their support and guidance to one another to promote sobriety within the group. While some people only participate in recovery support groups at the beginning of their recovery, others choose to attend meetings for several years or even for the rest of their lives.
Discharge planning that meets your unique needs
The most reliable and effective aftercare plans are those that take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to meet your individual needs. At Daylight Recovery Center in West Palm Beach, we understand how crucial it is to consider your personal beliefs, experiences, and goals when it comes to your treatment. That’s why our highly trained clinical and medical experts work together to tailor custom treatment plans that address your specific needs.
When you complete treatment with us, we’ll provide you with a personalized aftercare plan designed to put you on the path toward lasting sobriety. Discharge planning is a collaborative process that prepares you for the transition from residential care back to everyday life, ensuring you have the support, resources, and strategies necessary to maintain your recovery.
What are you waiting for? Give us a call today to speak with an addiction counselor.
We welcome the chance to serve you
You will discover our philosophy is deeply grounded in dignity, compassion, innovation, and long-term success. We believe that parents and loved ones are an integral part of each patient’s recovery and that it is our duty to provide the tools and education to live a free and fulfilling life.